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Giardino Papadopoli

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    • TravelerTravels in Europe 2017
      Day 17

      Art, art and more art

      September 5, 2017 in Italy ⋅ 🌙 20 °C

      We started the day with and ride in the ACTV ferry to the Rialto Market and then breakfast at the Farini Café – double espresso and focaccia with feta. Then it was on a meander via the shops and St Mark’s Square (where I demonstrated my Pigeon Mastery skills .... just for you Sam McKay). Following the pigeon interaction we headed down the Canal Di San Marco to the Gardini where the Biennale is held. It was quite cool and the breeze had a bit of a chill but it was lovely to be out and strolling. Wre arrived at the ticket office just before 10 and joined the short queue – smack on 10am up went the blinds and we soon had our 48hr pass (we had thought about just getting a day pass abut as it turned out we were glad we went with the 48hr).

      The Biennale is an international contemporary art exhibition which occurs every second year in Venice and has been going in odd numbered years since 1893 (this year is the 57th). There are exhibitions by both individual artists and “countries” Countries have their own permanent pavilions and will have a nominated artist or artist exhibiting there – there are also large pavilions with 40+ plus invited artists exhibiting works based on specific themes. The exhibition is primarily held in the gardens (Gardini) at the tip of Venice and the Arsenale – but there are also various works scattered all over the city.

      We started off in the main pavilion – I don’t know if I just don’t “get” contemporary art, but I found most of the stuff in there just really odd (although some was really good). However I enjoyed some of the work in the international pavilions much more, as well as the pavilions themselves – it was interesting seeing how the buildings reflected national character. The Australia exhibit was a tad odd – a photographer (Tracey Moffatt) – whose work I found overly staged. At about 3pm I think we got to the point where we were tired and a tad hungry and so decided to head off in search of Pizza even though we had only seen the works at the Gardini and not yet the Arsenarle

      We left the exhibition and headed off to find Art Della Pizza which I remembered from my last visit to Venice – it took quite a bit of meandering and swearing at the map but finally we found the place and enjoyed a couple of pieces of Pizza (as good as I remembered) before repairing to a local bar for a “spritz” – not nearly as yummy as the one we enjoyed of Murano yesterday. Refreshed we headed off to find a Traghetto – the gondola which takes you across the Grand Canal for 2 Euro (can’t visit Venice and not have ridden in a Gondola) Jumping out at the fish market we wandered around the shops and and generally got lost several times on our way to dinner, we managed to find the shop selling coffee makers and the one where I had seen a pendant I wanted for Mum, as well as the supermarket for a few necessities before rocking up at La Zucca for dinner.

      La Zucca is a vegetable focased (but not vegetarian per see) restaurant – it doea really nice food and we had visited 4 years ago and I was keep to go back. We had a really lovely meal there – I have baked pasted with egg plants and kirstin had a pumpkin and ricotta tart – plau we shared a spinach dish and some grilled artichokes – delicious. We shared our table with a couple of German students who I think we scared with all our talk of fierce Australian wildlife, then, sated once again it was time to head home…. Or at least back to the hotel.      Read more

    • TravelerTravels in Europe 2017
      Day 18

      More art – old & new!

      September 6, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

      We started the day with breakfast at Café Farini where the coffee was excellent yet again! Next stop was the Doges Palace in St Mark’s Square. This costs 20 Euro for the visit but you also get entry to 3 other museums in St Mark’s Square so it isn’t too bad. The palace is another of those buildings that has been added to, burned down and partially rebuilt several times. Started in the late 12th century the palace was the residence of the Doge (the elected ruler of Venice) and the seat of the administration of the city. The visit is fairly structured in that there are lots of signs saying “direction of visit” and that sort of thing. We started with the administrative chambers which are rather grand and filled with art – a lot by Tinteretto (Jacob as well as his son Domenico). The we visited the armory which has 2000+ weapons and then finally the goal which includes the famous “Bridge of Signs” which one actually gets to cross in both directions. Although the goal was built as a “model” prison and was seen as very “nice” for the prisoners, it is clear that such things are relative as it was dark, dank and really rather smelly. It WAS very interesting however.

      Having seen lots of old art we moved on to the new stuff – heading off to the Arsenale where we had another go at the Biennale. The Arsenale was first developed in the early 12th Century and was the heart of the Venetian naval power as it functioned as the ship building yards covering an area of 46 hectares (about 15% of Venice) and employing 16,00 workers at its peak – at which time up to 100 ships would be in various stages of production simultaneously. The Arsenale is now the venue for a large proportion of the Biennale, which is what we went to see. There were 5 pavilions with invited artists in the main building and then various country pavillions around the rest of the site. I am not sure if I am missing something or just don’t “get” contemporary art – I couldn’t see the point of a lot of it – we actually suspected many of the artists might have genital issues based on what we were seeing. Although that being said some of the works were really interesting and the venue was fascinating!

      By about 3pm we were all “arted” out and headed back towards the Rialto – we got a bit lost (a very regular occurrence in Venice although it never lasts long) and then stumbled across another Farini branch where we revived ourselves with a double espresso and a cake thing. Fortified we wandered off to check out the Correr Museum which is housed in a late 16th Centruy Building at the other end of St Mark’s Square to the Doges Palace – it has a serious of rooms restored to their 18th Century use as the apartments of the Empresses as well as a large collection of items ranging from religious, through naval and church items.

      After the museum, we took the Traghetto from the Rialto Market stop across the Grand Canal and then walked down Strada Nuova towards the station browsing the shops and generally enjoying the mild evening. We returned to the hotel to shower and change and then headed back past the station to a restaurant we had passed earlier for tea. The food wasn’t awful or anything but it wasn’t fantastic either – I had spaghetti al nero (spaghetti with cuttlefish and squid ink) which was really nice, then grilled salmon (which was a tad dry and a bit boney) with a nice salad. Kirstin had Salmon and polenta but didn’t enjoy the salmon because of the bones. Post dinner it was back to the hotel to start packing and sort out our plans for tomorrow when it is off to Verona!      Read more

    • TravelerEuropa - Brazilië Cruise
      Day 2

      Venetië

      November 25, 2010 in Italy ⋅ 🌫 3 °C

      Om 5,45 uit bed, vlug een kattenwasje, een snel ontbijt en om 6,47u de trein naar Schiphol. We labelden zelf onze valies en met wat assistentie checken we zelf in.
      Met een uur vertraging, wegens een lek aan de koffiemachine, vertrok onze vlucht naar Venetië. bij aankomst wachtten een drietal bussen van MSC ons op en ondanks het vele volk ging het inschrijven en vervaardigen van de scheepspasjes vlot.
      Het geplande bezoek aan Venetië ging niet meer door wegens de vertraagde vlucht maar dat was een geluk want de stad had de nacht ervoor onder water gestaan en dat was niet de beste moment om er te gaan wandelen.
      Eerst het schip verkennen, de MSC Opera.Tegen 18,30u naar ‘La Caravelle’ het ons toegewezen restaurant voor de 1e sitting, wij verkiezen dit omdat het anders ‘s avonds te laat wordt om nog naar een show te gaan.
      Een vaste tafel voor 6 personen werd ons toegewezen, 4 Nederlanders en wij de Belgen. Ben en Pauline en Annie en Theo werden voor de hele reis onze tafelgenoten. Het diner verliep een beetje met horten en stoten en we waren pas een half uur na het begin van de 2e sitting klaar. Morgen beter, dan zijn de kelners het misschien ook al beter gewoon.
      We verlieten Venetië in het donker, veel verkeer van vaporetti’s en veel geflits van fototoestellen, zowel die van ons als die van de kade. Eens de lagune uit zagen we nog veel lichtjes.
      Het voorstellen van de Entertainment Staf was om 22u maar we verlieten al gauw de theaterzaal want dat was niet echt iets voor ons, de Brazilianen lusten hier wel pap van! De nacht was rustig, een zacht deinen voel je wel maar dat is slaapverwekkend.      Read more

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    • NZtoWhereverAdventure Time
      Day 78

      Vení, Vidi, Vici... Venezia

      November 20, 2017 in Italy ⋅ 🌙 5 °C

      Title translation: I came, I saw, I conquered... Venice. Jokes! We obviously didn't conquer it... we only had one day and Rome wasn't built in a day. Wait. We're mixing metaphors here, let's just get to the usual stuff.

      Got up at 7 am - very impressive for us. Breakfast at the hotel buffet (they had a large range of sweet pastries... odd but delicious). Then wandered through the streets of Venice.

      Made our way to Saint Marks Plaza - a lot of people but not too crazy and definitely better than the hordes we'd heard of. Small line for the free St Marks Basilica - moved through quickly and was interesting to see from the inside (very glamorous frescoes).

      Then over to the Doge's Palace - bit pricey at NZD $35 each but worth it.

      The Doge was the Duke of Venice and ruled over the city with various councils of noblemen etc. Very important guy, especially with Venice being such a rich and powerful city (they had impressive ship prowess which allowed them to be great traders and merchants). His palace was the seat of governmental power (basically the Beehive of Venice... except way wayyyyy fancier than the Beehive). The Doge couldn't leave the palace without certain rituals and arrangements.

      The rooms flowed logically for touring and there were information panels (and we got an audioguide).

      Some regal looking rooms with old paintings and gold decoration adorning the walls. Various council rooms - some with secret entrances. There were also lion's head wall slots where people would post anonymous declarations to inform on each other. Part of the council was a kind of secret police/autocratic type council - so there was a lot of public fear of prosecution. Interesting.

      The armoury in particular was awesome - heaps of old but well preserved weapons. A bunch of swords all with different hilts - from simple s-shaped hilts to giant fancy ones, along with armour, crossbows and pikes.

      There were some prisons too - much more extensive than they first appear. Some very small doors which would not have been fun to be thrown through.

      The main attraction was the grand hall - very cool. A giant room absolutely covered with paintings on walls and ceilings - including the portraits of past Doges (apart from one guy who just has a black curtain painted for his portrait because of the whole he-committed-treason-and-was-beheaded thing). Really impressive room.

      Next room was the treasure room, with a special temporary exhibition hosting the Al-thani collection of Indian (and Indian inspired) jewels. It was seriously impressive. Some massive diamonds, and non-faceted (e.g. lumpy) emeralds, and sapphires - a crazy amount of wealth to have in one room. Also explained a bit about different aspects (like how India has a long tradition of having jewels and gold to show power and status, and used mostly larger uncut gems, before later adopting the Western style of having faceted but smaller gems).

      Also had swords and daggers and other random items made out of (white?!) jade and other materials. One cloth type thing that looked woven except actually it was made up of small diamonds and pearls and stuff. Crazy. Oh and a jade, emerald and ruby egg cup (for when you want a fancy breakfast but only have eggs).

      No photos allowed in the exhibit but was impressive.

      To top off the stellar time so far, we next saw some weird modern art thing about the port at Venice. Odd, confusing and basically 10 minutes of our life we'll never get back. But we did try to understand it - we're clearly just not smart enough to appreciate it. Oh well.

      Also briefly checked out some rooms with parts of the facades, which randomly also had an espresso machine exhibited in a glass case with absolutely no explanation. Still unsure why it was there...

      A great visit to the palace and would definitely recommend it.

      Wandered some more, tried on clothes and had a nice tomato and seafood pasta from Dal Moro. Then back to San Marco to go up the Bell Tower (elevator this time, no stairs) for great views. <Insert joke about Wade being the hunchback of Notre Dame/Venice here>

      Back down and more wandering. Considered getting a gondola, but was incredibly pricey - especially for a ride along randomly smelly canals. Instead wandered around and stopped for a coffee. Spotted the leaning tower of Venice. Then browsed some jewellery and stopped for more pasta - again the black ink and cuttlefish one and a delicious eggplant, tomato and ricotta one (Alla Norma). Can't remember the name of the place but it's on Calle Casera - was definitely the best (and cheapest) pasta we had in Venice.

      Got more cake on way back (pistachio cake... yum!) then packed and got an early ish night. Very early start tomorrow!      Read more

    • TravelerAdriaÄgäisSept2017
      Day 1

      Venedig, Italien

      September 23, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

      -Streetart von Bronik Bild 3
      -Die Seufzerbrücke. Vom Dogenpalast wurden die von venezianischen Gerichten Verurteilten zur Haft oder zur Exekution über diese Brücke in die Gefängnisräume geleitet. Bild 5
      -Kirche Santa Maria della Salute Bild 6      Read more

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    • Peter KollusItalien und Frankreich
      Day 4

      Venedig2

      May 21, 2018 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

      Die Nacht war sehr ruhig, aber mal angenehm warm. Heute morgen sind wir schon kurz nach 7Uhr in 10min zum Fähranleger marschiert, um in 40min nach Venedig zu fahren. Der Vaporetto war schon gut belegt, die Fahrt vergeht wie im Fluge. Dann geht es zu Fuß durch die vielen kleinen und großen Gassen, an den Highlights der Stadt Venezia vorbei. Treppen rauf und runter, an langen Warteschlangen vorbei. Ziemlich viele Gäste sind unterwegs, auffällig viele Chinesen. Abseits des großen Mainstreams finden wir ein nettes kleines Café zum Frühstücken. Lecker, der Morgen beginnt schon mal gut. Eine Fahrt über den Canale Grande darf natürlich nicht fehlen, der Preis ist in unseren Zweitagestickets enthalten. Die Sicht vom Wasser auf die Stadt ergibt eine ganz neue Perspektive. Viele alte, zum Teil baufällige Gebäude stehen neben schön herausgeputzten. Wir sehen den Gondelbauern bei ihrer Arbeit zu, bewundern die Geschicklichkeit der Gondoliere in den engen Kanälen. Total angenehm ist die Tatsache, das es hier keine PKWs, Motorräder oder Fahrräder gibt, nur Fussgänger und eben "Boote". Als wir gegen 18Uhr zum WoMo-Platz zurückkommen, sind wir doch ziemlich geschafft, der ganze Tag in der Sonne und 28Grad! Eine Dusche erfrischt unsere Körper! Morgen folgt der zweite Ausflugstag nach Venedig!Read more

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    • Nina L'hosteAdria Reise mit der AidaBlu
      Day 1

      Anreise nach Venedig

      July 22, 2018 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

      Bereits um 6 Uhr morgens hieß es: aufstehen. Denn kurz darauf wurden Nina und ich bereits von Petra, meiner mum, abgeholt und zum Zugbahnhof nach Ottweiler gebracht. Von dort fuhren wir nach Frankfurt zum Flughafen, um dann, mit Zwischenstopp in München, nach Venedig zu fliegen. In Venedig angekommen wurden wir vom Airport bis zur Aida gebracht. Der erste Eindruck war gewaltig, was ein riesiger Kahn! Nach dem check-in und einer Sicherheitskontrolle wurden wir dann von sehr nettem Personal mit einem Eistee begrüßt und machten uns anschließend auf die Suche nach unserer Kabine. Auf dem Schiff kann man sich definitiv verlaufen. Kurz nach Ankunft in unserer Kabine mussten wir bereits zur Sicherheitseinweisung antreten und erfuhren dort alles, was es im Falle eines See-Not-Alarms zu beachten gibt (leider war nichtmal genug Zeit, um uns zu duschen).
      Dann liefen wir auch schon aus. Dieses Spektakel ließen wir uns natürlich nicht entgehen und schauten auf Deck 12, einem Freiluft-Deck, beim Auslaufen aus dem Hafen zu. Dabei fing es am Horizont gerade an zu gewittern, was der Situation zusätzlich Magie verlieh.
      Anschließend gingen wir zum Abendessen, in eines von insgesamt 5 Buffet-Restaurants an Bord. Wir entschieden uns kurzum für Asiatisch (auch, weil sonst nichts mehr geöffnet hatte).
      An viel mehr war an diesem Tag auch nicht zu denken und wir legten uns schlafen.      Read more

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    • The Travels of PaulaItaly 2018
      Day 14

      Day 13 - Arrive in Venice

      August 23, 2018 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 88 °F

      ‍‍We said good-bye to Florence and took the high-speed train to Venice.  The train ride to about 2 hours.  From the train station in Venice we took water taxis to our hotel.  At the hotel we had a buffet lunch.  On the buffet was a penne pasta with pesto sauce.  We were being served and without thinking I accepted the pasta or on my plate.  I also got chicken and green beans.  As I was heading for a table, our Program Director, Florence, stopped me to give me a plate of pasta in tomato sauce since I am allergic to the pine nuts in the pesto.  Thank goodness to Florence for looking out for me, since it would not have been good if I had eaten the park on the penne pasta.  And up to that point I had been so careful.

      Once lunch was over, we meet or our local guides and headed for St. Mark's Square and the Doges Palace.  There were a lot of steps and it was hot and the building was not air conditioned.  Our group was fine but the other group did not do well and some cut the tour short and returned to the hotel.

      After the tour we returned to the hotel to check-in and get our room keys, go to our rooms and shower and meet again to go to the restaurant.  This was our farewell dinner so the attire Evening Smart (aka dressy).  Our meal consisted of three courses.  For my first course I selected a vegetable roll.  Since John didn't think he wanted either, he selected the Caprese salad. The vegetable roll was like a spring roll, so I let John have that and I took the Caprese salad.  For my second course, I chose the vegetable lasagna; John chose the steak.  For our third course, we both chose the gelato.  It was a scoop of vanilla and a scoop of chocolate.  And there was lots of wine, of course.  Then it was back to the hotel and time to relax and then go to bed.

      John called the hospital and Matt was doing better.  The nurse said that they migh discharge him on Saturday, but they still hadn't gotten word back on what bacteria was the culprit.

      I was struck today by all the different ways there are to turn on the water in sinks; get soap for my hands; and dry my hands.         Read more

    • The Travels of PaulaItaly 2018
      Day 15

      Day 14 - Exploring Venice

      August 24, 2018 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F

      ‍John and I decided to forego the glass blowing factory tour.  Instead we decided to do as the slogan says and "get lost in Venice".  Which really means to just wander aimlessly which was very relaxing. One nice thing about Venice is there are signs on all the streets pointing to one of the bridges, so it's ready to travel around without getting to lost.  First we went to the Rialto bridge and to the fish, meat and produce market.  Then we wandered around and had lunch in a little shop.  John got mini ham and turkey sandwiches.  I got a vegetable and cheese in half a toasted pita.  I also tried the Spritz (a mix of white wine, Aperol and a spritz of Seltzer water).  It was okay, but more but then I expected.

      After eating we returned to the hotel and took the hotel water shuttle over to another island and wandered around there for a while.  When we returned we meet or group for a gondola ride.  It was so much fun.  And we had Musicians in our gondola.  One played a guitar and the other sang.  I think the serenading was for Bretna and Lonnie since their anniversary was a few days ago.

      Then we returned to our room to shower and dress for our farewell reception and the private St. Mark's Basilica tour.  While we were getting ready John got a call that Matt was being discharged today.  The hospital was arranging for ambulance transportation.  However, the snag was getting his prescription filled and put in his pill box. John tried to get someone close to Merica House to get the prescription, but could not get in touch with anyone.  So I contacted about friend, Marian,  and she agreed to pickup the pills and put them in Matt's pill box.  John continued to work on getting the prescription filled and the logistics off the discharge.  While John worked on that, I went to the reception to let Florence, our Tour Director, know we would probably not be going to St. Mark's.  It started raining a little after the reception began, so we moved indoors.  I stayed for the reception and then returned upstairs to our room.  Then we went to dinner in the hotel, so we could ensure we had cell service to contact the hospital and anyone else.

      We had dinner in the hotel restaurant so that we would be assured of Cellular service and WiFi.  Finally, the prescription was sent to the CVS near Matt and I could let Marian know.  And while we waited we got packed for the 9:45 am luggage pickup to head home.  Marian texted me when she got to Merica House and put Matt's pills in the pill box.  Now everything was settled and all we needed to concentrate on was going home.  It has been a fun trip and we have made a lot of new friends.      Read more

    • Nina L'hosteAdria Reise mit der AidaBlu
      Day 7

      Venedig

      July 28, 2018 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

      Bereits am Morgen liefen wir in den Hafen von Venedig ein. Außer der Aida lagen dort noch 4 weitere Kreuzfahrtschiffe vor Anker, sodass schnell klar war, die Stadt wird sehr voll sein.
      Nach einem gemütlichen Frühstück an Bord zogen wir los, um die Stadt zu sehen. Vom Hafen ging es dann per Wassershuttle in die Stadt, ganz in die Nähe des Markus-Platzes. Dort wurde unsere Vermutung bestätigt: so viele Menschen. Und noch schlimmer: kein Schatten bei ca 38 Grad Temperatur und brodelnde Sonne.
      Wir bahnten uns unseren Weg in Richtung Markus-Platz, vorbei an zahlreichen Brücken, von denen eine schöner war als die andere. Danach suchten wir nach einer Gondelfahrt, und fanden etwas weiter in der Innenstadt eine günstige Anlegestelle. Die Fahrt machte sehr viel Spaß und man sieht die Stadt von einer ganz anderen, sehr ruhigen Seite. Im Anschluss besorgten wir noch ein paar kleine Mitbringsel für zu Hause und entschieden uns danach, zurück aufs Schiff zu fahren, denn der Andrang an Touristen war uns zu viel (Pro-Tipp: Venedig nur außerhalb der Saison!).
      Auf dem Schiff legten wir uns noch an Deck in die Sonne und ließen uns brutzeln. Am abend gab es dann ausnahmsweise keine laute Party an Bord, da der Anlegehafen in der Stadt selbst liegt. Eine Silent-Party fand allerdings statt, mit Kopfhörern, an der wir aber nicht teilnahmen. Wir entschieden uns dazu, nach dem Abenessen gemütlich an Deck zu sitzen und noch etwas zu trinken. Dabei spielte ein Gitarrist akkustische Musik.
      Danach gingen wir auf die Kabine, und anschließend schlafen.      Read more

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    You might also know this place by the following names:

    Giardino Papadopoli

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